The first lessons in this book have to do with basic shapes—that is where geometry starts. Children learn to recognize and draw basic shapes, and identify triangles, rectangles, squares, quadrilaterals, pentagons,
hexagons, and cubes. They also put several shapes together to form new ones, or divide an existing shape
into new ones.

We also study some geometric patterns, right angles, have surprises with pentagons and hexagons, and
make shapes in a tangram-like game. These topics are to provide some fun while also letting children
explore geometry and helping them to memorize the terminology for basic shapes.
The students also learn a little about symmetry and mirror points—two hopefully easy and fun topics that
tie together.

In the latter part of the book, the emphasis is on two 3rd grade concepts: area and perimeter. Students find
perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter when the side lengths are given, and finding an
unknown side length when the perimeter is given.

They learn about area, and how to measure it in either square inches, square feet, square centimeters,
square meters, or just square units if no unit of length is specified.
Students also relate area to the operations of multiplication and addition. They learn to find the area of a
rectangle by multiplying the side lengths, and to find the area of rectilinear figures by dividing them into
rectangles and adding the areas.

We also study the distributive property “in disguise.” This means using an area model to represent
a × (b + c) as being equal to a × b plus a × c. The expression a × (b + c) is the area of a rectangle with
side lengths a and (b + c), which is equal to the areas of two rectangles, one with sides a and b, and the
other with sides a and c.

Multiplying by Whole Tens is a lesson about multiplication such as 3 × 40 or 90 × 7. It is put here so that
students can then use their multiplication skills to calculate areas of bigger rectangles. Then we solve many area and perimeter problems. That is necessary so that students learn to distinguish between these two concepts. They also get to see rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or
with the same area and different perimeters.

Lastly we touch on solids, such as cube, rectangular prism, pyramids, cone, and cylinder, and study their
faces, edges, and vertices. You can make paper models for them from the printouts provided after the
answer key. Just print them out, cut out the shapes, fold the sides, and glue or tape the figures together.
Alternatively you can buy them, usually made in plastic. Search on the internet for “geometric solids.”

This book is also suitable for a geometry notebook or journal project. This simply means that for each new TERM in the book, the student explains that term and draws the corresponding figure, using 1-2 blank pages. In the end, the student will have his/her very own geometry book to keep and show around!

The PDF version of this book is enabled for annotation. This means that if you prefer, your student can fill it in on the computer, using the typewriter and drawing tools in Adobe Reader version 9 or greater.

How and where to order

You can buy Math Mammoth books at:

Here at MathMammoth.com website — simply use the "Add to cart" buttons you see on the product pages.

CurrClick.com carries all Blue, Golden, and Light Blue series books as downloads. They accept credit cards and Paypal. You will be able to download the products immediately upon the purchase, and also return to your account at CurrClick to redownload.

Lulu offers printed copies for the Blue, Golden, and Light Blue series books.

By purchasing any of the books, permission IS granted for the teacher (or parent) to reproduce this material to be used with his/her students in a teaching situation; not for commercial resale. However, you are not permitted to share the material with another teacher.

In other words, you are permitted to make copies for the students/children you are teaching, but not for other teachers' usage.

Math Mammoth books are PDF files. You will need Adobe Reader to view them, including if you use a Mac or Linux. You can try other PDF viewers, but they seem to either omit or mess up some of the images.

Math Mammoth Tour

Confused about the different options? Take a 7-day virtual email tour around Math Mammoth! You'll receive:

An initial email to download your GIFT of over 400 free worksheets and sample pages from my books;6 other emails on 6 subsequent days that describe the different series of Math Mammoth products, answering the most commonly asked questions, including "What is the difference between all these different-colored series?"

This way, you'll have time to digest the information over one week, plus an opportunity to ask me personally which book would be right for your child or students.

Note: You will FIRST get an email that asks you to confirm your email address.
If you cannot find this confirmation email, please check your SPAM/JUNK folder.

"Mini" Math Teaching Course

This is a little "virtual" 2-week course, where you will receive emails on important topics on mathematics education. The topics include:

- Teaching multiplication tables
- Why fractions are so difficult
- How to help a student who is behind
- Should you use timed tests
- The value of mistakes
- And more!

You will also receive a GIFT of over 400 free worksheets and sample pages from my books right in the very beginning.

Note: You will FIRST get an email that asks you to confirm your email address.
If you cannot find this confirmation email, please check your SPAM/JUNK folder.

Math teaching tips & resources

Enter your email to receive math teaching tips, resources, Math Mammoth news & sales, humor, and more! I tend to send out these tips about once monthly, near the beginning of the month, but occasionally you may hear from me twice per month (and sometimes less often).